A national of Burkina Faso, Laday Wendipanga, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly killing one Adepeju Disu.
Wendipanga was said to have slit Disu’s throat with a knife while she was asleep on the premises of Holy Cross Cathedral on Lagos Island.
Not done, the suspect reportedly inflicted several cuts on the body of the victim and dragged her corpse to a corner on the premises, where it was discovered by a member of the church, who raised the alarm.
PUNCH Metro learnt that a vigil was ongoing in the church on Friday, November 4, when the incident happened.
It was gathered that the police from the Lion Building Police Division removed the remains and arrested the suspect.
A mechanic in the church’s vicinity, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the victims were mentally ill, adding that Disu usually passed the night in the church.
He said, “Both of them are mentally ill. They were being taken care of by the church. A vigil was going on that day when the incident happened. I learnt that she (Wendipanga) went to where the woman was sleeping on the church premises and slit her throat with a knife.”
A resident of the area, who identified himself simply as Daniel, said Disu moved to the church after a building she inhabited on Lagos Island was demolished.
Another resident, who did not want her name in print, told PUNCH Metro that Disu’s remains were dumped in a dustbin on the premises.
She said, “I learnt she had a disagreement with the suspect earlier, but I don’t know what it was all about.”
When our correspondent visited the church last Friday to get its comment on the alleged murder, a security guard in the church, who gave his name as Felix Obi, told him to come back on Monday, saying the official that would speak was not around.
Our correspondent visited the church again on Monday, but Obi told him to check back on Tuesday (today).
He said, “The person that will attend to you is not around. Nobody can speak with you now. You cannot talk to anybody. You can go.”
However, Obi’s colleague, who declined to give his name, denied that the woman was murdered on the church premises, saying it was a rumour.
He said, “I was on duty; nothing like that happened. Apart from you, somebody also came here to inquire about it. I have been on duty from the beginning of this month. I am a security man. If anything happens, I will tell you.”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, adding that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba.
She said, “The information we have is that the victim, Adepeju Disu, and the suspect, Laday Wendipanga from Burkina Faso, lived around the church. They seem to be mentally ill. Investigation will reveal more on that, especially on the side of the suspect. We need to do medical evaluation. The body was seen on thes church premises. The case has been transferred to SCIID, Yaba, for discreet investigation.”
